SL2 redevelopment in North-West USP

The building at Sorbonnelaan 2 is being prepared for the arrival of the Faculty of Science, accommodating the faculty's growth. Additionally, it provides necessary flexibility within the Northwest cluster of the Utrecht Science Park, where extensive construction and renovation will take place in the coming years.

A logical location for future users

SL2 has features that make it exceptionally suitable for laboratories with related office spaces. The building offers over 2,000 m虏 of FNO (functional usable area) for laboratory spaces and approximately the same amount for office, meeting, and communal spaces. The Faculty of Science has worked together with the Campus & Facilities Directorate to determine a logical allocation of the building.

The Material Chemistry & Catalysis (MCC, David de Wied Building), Physical Colloid Chemistry (PCC, Kruyt Building), and Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITF, Buys Ballot Building) sections will be housed in the SL2 building. MCC and PCC are part of the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials and will thus be located in the same building cluster (SL2/Ornstein Laboratory) as the other Debye groups. By relocating ITF, theoretical and experimental physics will be brought together. Additionally, the Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP) and the Nanophotonics and Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics (SCM) group will also move to the SL2 building.

Rendering SL2 ontwerp

First, a Sustainable Renovation

A final design for the building has been completed. SL2 will largely retain its structure and (exterior) features, but significant sustainability measures are being implemented. The building will be re-insulated, fitted with new roofing, new wooden window frames, and HR++ glass. The ventilation system will incorporate heat recovery technology, and the building鈥檚 connection to the WKO ring (thermal energy storage system) will be improved. These measures will make the building significantly more energy-efficient.

Laboratories in 3D Design

The building鈥檚 functionality and the design of the laboratories were central to the project鈥檚 design phase. Using a 3D model, all laboratories were designed in consultation with their future users. 

Connection to the Ornstein Laboratory

There is an intention to connect the SL2 building to the Ornstein Laboratory. A plan has been developed for a shared entrance between the two buildings. Additionally, Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 aims to refresh the fa莽ade and window frames of the Ornstein Laboratory in the same style as SL2. The university is currently in discussions with the municipality of Utrecht regarding the feasibility of this plan.

Timeline

With the design now finalised, the university will begin searching for a contractor in the first half of 2025. The selected contractor will collaborate further on the design. Construction is expected to begin after the summer of 2025, with the aim of relocating the research groups to the renovated SL2 building in 2027.

Would you like to learn more about this project? Please contact project manager Michel Bosveld.